This book is contagious! I started reading the book slowly because I love history, especially about Native Americans and their cultural beliefs. I did not know much about the Algonquin people, and I learned more than in any history class. The author brilliantly weaves the cultural beliefs with a natural setting while making the reader feel they are with the main character escaping his civility. The vivid descriptions of the spirit animals (Manitous) and their protective nature are attractive to any reader who understands the Native American belief of Manitous. Anyone who reads this book will gain knowledge of the cultural beliefs of a remarkable native tribe and a spine-tingling adventure story of a young boy trying to find his way through life.

The first book in a new series is always a little slower paced than the books that follow. Sort of like an introduction to a party, you have to build up knowledge of the characters and the community while setting the hook for the plot line. As such, VALLEY OF THE WOLVES is a winner. The first book of a planned 4 book arch has a strong feel of the young man who is learning of the world outside his comfort zone at the same time he is grieving for the only true friend he had. As he travels further into the forest surroundings, he finds he is not alone. The spiritual guides that watch over their section of the world must decide if this young man will be accepted or rejected. Definitely a series to follow.

This was a beautifully crafted and very educational read. The main themes of finding belonging, the importance of keeping connections with the past, and the value of nature were weaved fantastically throughout the prose. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this because I didn't really know anything about the indiginous people of Canada but this was a very valuable insight about them and was informative as well as a lovely read.

Moving from group home to foster home wore heavily on Josh. He longed to be free and disappear in the Laurentian mountains of his ancestors. His only true friend is a dying Algonquin who is teaching him the old ways.

He is very proficient with a canoe, escapes on a foggy night, and heads downstream to cross into Canada. He knows that the officials will be looking for him and will put him in a juvenile detention facility if he is caught.

Josh read all of the books he could find on wilderness survival, building traps, and foraging for edible foods and tubers. This is a great book for young scouts and others to read. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

The first book in a new series that launches an enterprising and magnetic main character and a great start to the series.

NB: It does not appear to be on Barnes & Noble--could not leave a review there.

This reminds me of the survivalist books I read as a teenager like Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain. I really enjoyed this and learning about the Algonquin nation. I found it really informative in learning about the beliefs and traditional way of life of the Algonquin people.

The main character, Josh, feels like he doesn't fit in, having bounced between foster homes, so he fakes his death to go live on his own in nature, just like the old Algonquin people did before the Canadian government banned them from doing so.

Along the way he encounters spirit guides and malevolent spirits which test his courage and bravery, along with his resilience.

A really enjoyable read with loads of information. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-pub!

I really enjoyed this coming of age story! Lots of action, well researched, and the twists keep you coming back for more.

15 year old Josh who has a gravitational pull towards the Laurentian Mountains, everything Algonquin, and is a foster child… decides to run away trying his hand at surviving the wilderness. He has a clever and well thought out plan but was never prepared for the constant curve balls that continue to prove that they are not of this world.

If you love found family, coming of age, survivalist, and native lore…. This is a book for you! This book was giving “My side of the mountain” and “Into the wild” with a heavy dose of “Awakening red feather”.

This is book one in the series… our MMC’s journey is not complete after this book concludes!

The wilderness is my past , present, and future. I think this accurately describes Josh in a Valley of Wolves.

Josh is a foster child who's never felt like he belongs. That is until one day he finds an ancient arrowhead crafted by the Algonquin peoples. He begins to immerse himself in their culture finding comfort and belonging in the wilderness. His deep devotion to their culture is cemented when he meets a old Algonquin trapper. Through stories, the trapper works to change how Josh sees the world

Eventually Josh works up the courage to leave home. Armed with all he's learned, he takes a canoe into the wilderness. But as he treks further into the wilds he soon realizes that even the best laid plans can go awry. Now he must battle not only weather and hunger, but a prehistoric evil that seems relentless in its quest to kill him.

I throughly enjoyed reading this first book. It gave me My Side of the Mountain with hints of Clan of the Cave Bears. I can't wait to read book 2 and see more of the world filled in.

Book Review: Valley of the Wolves (Book 1: Ishkwandem) by Brock Farrow

A Gritty Coming-of-Age Tale in the Wild
Brock Farrow’s Valley of the Wolves: Ishkwandem plunges readers into the turbulent life of fifteen-year-old Josh Redford, a foster child whose survival instincts are as sharp as the wilderness he navigates. The novel blends raw emotional vulnerability with the untamed beauty of nature, as Josh’s journey—from fractured foster homes to the literal and metaphorical wolves of the wild—becomes a poignant exploration of resilience, identity, and belonging. Farrow’s prose is unflinching, capturing both the brutality of systemic neglect and the fleeting moments of connection that keep Josh fighting.

Key Strengths
-Emotional Authenticity: Josh’s voice rings true, his anger, hope, and weariness etched into every page.
-Atmospheric Setting: The wilderness is a character itself, its dangers and solace mirroring Josh’s internal struggles.
-Thematic Depth: A nuanced look at trauma, trust, and the search for family in unexpected places.

Potential Considerations
-Pacing: The introspective moments may slow the narrative for readers craving constant action, though they deepen the emotional payoff.
-Dark Themes: The novel doesn’t shy from hardship, which could be intense for some audiences.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – A protagonist who claws his way into your heart like roots through cracked stone.
-World-Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The wild feels alive, though some secondary settings could use more texture.
-Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A story that lingers like a campfire’s embers.
-Plot Cohesion: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Occasionally meanders, but always with purpose.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A howl in the dark—equal parts defiance and longing.

Ideal Audience
-Fans of The Serpent King or Where the Crawdads Sing, seeking YA with teeth.
-Readers drawn to stories of survival, both physical and emotional.
-Anyone who believes healing is as messy as it is beautiful.

Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Brock Farrow for the advance copy. Valley of the Wolves doesn’t just tell Josh’s story—it lets you live it, breath by ragged breath.

Note: Review based on an ARC; minor refinements may appear in the final edition.